For the oldest Cub Scouts, the Arrow of Light program offers 5th grade Webelos the opportunity to earn a patch that transfers to their Boy Scout uniform. By earning this recognition, a scout demonstrates he is ready for the next step on the boy scout trail.

During their last year in a Pack, Webelos get a larger say in which adventures their den will do, and in leading their fellow scouts, both skills that will come in handy in Boy Scouts.

A boy that is new to Scouting in 5th grade does not need to earn any previous ranks. He can earn the Bobcat badge and then the Arrow of Light along with his den, even if he does not have the Webelos badge yet. If it's important to him, he can put in more effort and fulfill the Webelos requirements during 5th grade also, without missing out on the adventures his den is doing for Arrow of Light.

WELCOME TO CUB SCOUTING: EARNING THE ARROW OF LIGHT RANK

A boy who is in the fourth or fifth grade is a Webelos Scout, and his adventures are found in the Webelos Handbook. Once a boy has completed his Webelos rank requirements or a new boy joins Cub Scouting in the fifth grade, he may work on Arrow of Light requirements Like all other new Cub Scouts, a Arrow of Life Scout must first earn his Bobcat rank. After completing the requirements for Bobcat he may go on to complete the requirements for the Arrow of Light rank and the many electives that are offered for his rank.

All Cub Scouts, except for those boys who join Cub Scouting for the first time in fifth grade, must earn their Webelos rank prior to earning Arrow of Light. The requirements for Webelos and Arrow of Light may be worked on at the same time but the tenure requirements for each must be met and the awards must be earned and presented sequentially.

The den meeting plans for the Webelos rank adventures are found in the Webelos Den Leader Guide along with other tips and hints for running a fun Cub Scout Program.

Arrow of Light Badge Requirements

Be active in your Webelos den for at least six months since completing the fourth grade or for at least six months since becoming 10 years old. (Being active means having good attendance, paying your den dues, and working on den projects.)

Complete each of the following Arrow of Light required adventures with your den or family: a. Building a Better World b. Camper c. Duty to God in Action d. Scouting Adventure

With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide and earn the Cyber Chip award for your age.*

*If your family does not have Internet access at home AND you do not have ready Internet access at school or another public place or via a mobile device, the Cyber Chip portion of this requirement may be waived by your parent or guardian.

For each adventure, the Arrow of Light Scout must complete the requirements as outlined in the Webelos Handbook. Requirement 7 of Bobcat and requirement 4 of Webelos and Arrow of Light are identical. If a Cub Scout earns his Bobcat rank during the same year that he begins working on his Webelos or Arrow of Light rank, he needs to complete the requirement only one time.

A parent, guardian, or other caring adult acknowledges the completion of each achievement part by signing the boy’s handbook (Akela’s OK). The den leader also signs each boy’s handbook (Den Leader’s OK) and records progress in the den’s advancement records. The Webelos Scouts also keep track of their own advancement using the Adventure Tracking section in the back of their handbooks, and under the guidance of the den leader, they can also keep a record of their individual progress on a den advancement chart and den doodle.